Eyewire construction for spectacle frames



June 3, 1952 STEGEMAN 2,599,074

EYEWIRE CONSTRUCTION FOR SPECTACLE FRAMES Filed March 10, 1951 INVEN TOR.

R. F. E. STEGEMAN FIG.6|4 I A T TORNEY Patented June 3, 1 952 EYEWIRE CONSTRUCTION FOR 7 SPEOTACLE FRAMES,

I Raymond F. Stegeman, Greece, N. Y., as-

signor to Bausch & Lomb-OpticaLCompany, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application March 10, 1951, Serial No. 214,926

4 Claims. (01188-47) This invention relates to'ophthalmic mountings and more particularly ithas reference. to means for holding lenses in spectacle frames embodyingmetallic and non-metallicparts. vi

One of the objects of this invention is to 'provide an improvedspectacle frame of the type described which will be relatively simple in structure yet efficient-in operation. Another object istoprovide a spectacle frame having a metalliceyewire and a non-metallic member associated therewith for cushioning the lens against mechanical shock. A further object is to provide a spectacle frame of the type described having non-metallic members which are releasably held in the frame so that they may be readily interchanged to vary the cosmetic effect. These and other objects and advantages reside in certain novel feature of construction, arrangement and combination of parts as will hereinafter be more fully described and pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a spectacle frame embodying my invention, with the temples shown broken away.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view showing the metallic eyewire construction.

3 is a top plan view thereof.

Fig. 4 is a front view of the non-metallic member.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view thereof.

Fig. 6 is a side view thereof.

Fig. '7 is a sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 1.

A preferred embodiment of my invention is disclosed in the drawing wherein I indicates, generally, a spectacle frame having a bridge II connecting the two lens holding portions I2 whichare identical in construction and carry thelenses I3. Each lens -holding portion has a metallic eyewire part I4 provided on its inner edge with a groove I for receiving the nasal, bottom and lower temporal edge portions of the lens I3. A second metallic eyewire part I6 has one of its ends soldered to the bridge II and in spaced relation to the adjacent end I1 of eyewire part I4 so as to provide an inwardly extending offset. Another metallic eyewire part I8 has one of its ends soldered in tangential relation to the lower temporal portion of the eyewire Il and also soldered to the outwardly formed end IQ of eyewire I4 so as to provide another inwardly extending offset. The adjacent ends of eyewire parts It and I8 are soldered to lugs 20 which are releasably held together by screw2l. A non-metallic member 22, made-of any suitable material such as plastic and having a generally L-shaped form, is provided, respectively.

on its inner and outer faces with the grooves 23 and 24. The member '22 is positioned with 'itsinner groove 23 receiving the top and upper temporal edge portions of the lens I3. Thus, the nasal and bottom portions of the edge of the lens I3 are seated in the groove I5 in eyewire part I4 while the remaining portion of the edge of the lens I3 is seated in the inner groove 23 formed in the non-metallic member 22. When the member 22 is in position, its ends are, respectively, in abutting relation to the offsets formed at I! and I9 and the eyewire parts I6 and I8 are seated in the outer groove 24 in member 22. The usual nose pads 25 are soldered to the eyewire parts I4 and temples 26 are v pivotally mounted on lugs 20.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that I am able to attain the objects of my invention and provide an improved spectacle frame of the type described. The non-metallic members 22 act to cushion or absorb mechanical shocks so that lens breakage is reduced. The non-metallic members 22 may be formed of suitable materials of various colors and may carry any desired ornamentation. Since both the lens I3 and non-metallic member 22 may be readily removed by removing clamping screw 2|, it is obvious that the members 22 may be interchanged so as to produce any desired cosmetic effect. By employing the offsets in the eyewire part, the member 22 is firmly held in place with the eyewire parts I6 and I8 firmly seated in the groove 25 and the lens I3 securely held in grooves 23 and I5.

Various modifications may, of course, be made without departing from the spirit of my invention as pointed out in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a spectacle frame, the combination of a metallic eyewire having an internal groove in which is mounted a portion of the edge of a lens, a non-metallic member having on its inner edge a groove in which is mounted the remaining portion of the edge of the lens, two inwardly extending offsets formed on the inner face of the eyewire in spaced relation to each other, the ends of said member being in abutting relation to the respective ofisets, said member having a groove on its outer edge, said eyewire having parts extending towards each other beyond the offsets, said parts being positioned in the groove in the outer edge of the member, and means for detachably holding together the adjacent ends of the parts whereby the lens is removably held in the ram, 2 g v H I 2. In asfitaele f ranie, the-cdmbiri-ation bf a metallic eyewire having an internal groove in which are mounted the nasal, bottom and lower temporal edge portions of a lens, a non-metallic lower portion of said eyewire having a lens seat extending from one offset to the other, a lens 'having its lower and nasal edges located in said seat, a non-metallic member extending along member having an internal grod'v'e' in mounted the remaining edge portion of the lens,

inwardly extending oilsets on thef npp er nasail.

and lower temporal portions cif'tiie eyewi're, ii

member having an external grocive, "said iifr'ribi" having end portions abutting 'the respective 3 sets, said eyewire having parts extending toward each other and beyond the offsets "and qsositioned in the outer groove of saidmember and 1 "fciriitachably Holding together the adjiciIF-nds of -seiid parts whereby the ilens is removably held in the frame. I

In *a spectacleframe, the combination of a metallic "eyewire means having two spaced offset portionsyintermpting thepontinuous contour :01

.the iinneriace of the-eyewire means, one (if said p et :fn rtie :b i o t c ed r t r nne Eaese r fli i th e ew re ep @fisgt mdrt tb ijl r r os t q dsat h we m qr #50 portion of the eyewire, the ifiner face of the nasal perman anate lens and thence to the lower temporal portion of the lens. a non-metallic ni'e'mb'e'r"alongthe'upper and temporal edges of the lens, the ends of said member being in abut- 20 ting relation to the ends of said part, said member @having on .-inner 4888 j a seat ior the rennainingipertion' or the :edgewf the-Jens, and-(additional met'allic eyewire means rconnecting lthe end portions of said pant, "said dditional icy/e- 2 wire meansbeing ;positionedain-;.-a=groove torme'd in-fthe outer f face of' the -;mernber -having split end-portions which arereleasdbly-hld 420- 7 gether wherehythedens anmmemberharedetach- 

